Taoiseach: Latest Brexit developments ‘reinforced need for a backstop which is legally robust and workable’

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he told the UK Prime Minister that the latest developments over Brexit ‘reinforced the need for a backstop which is legally robust and workable in practice’.

The Taoiseach spoke to Theresa May in a phone call on 30 January, where he said he ‘set out once again the unchanged Irish and EU position on the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop’.

Mr Varadkar said the Prime Minister indicated that ‘further consultations’ are taking place in London.

The evening before, the Taoiseach again said the EU Withdrawal Agreement that was rejected by the British House of Commons earlier in January ‘ is not open for re-negotiation’.

EU & UK {Pic :Dave Kellam via Wikimedia Commons)

Earlier on 29 January, Theresa May announced to the Commons that she plans to return to Brussels and to seek legally binding changes to the backstop in the withdrawal agreement, but she acknowledged there was ‘limited appetite among our European partners’ for such a renegotiation.

Responding, the Taoiseach said the EU position on the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop, is set out in the conclusions of the December meeting of the European Council and ‘has not changed’.

“The best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify this Agreement. We have consistently said that we want the closest possible future relationship between the EU and the UK. A change in the UK red lines could lead to a change in the Political Declaration on the framework for the future relationship, and a better overall outcome.We will continue our preparations for all outcomes, including for a no-deal scenario.”

-An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD

The leader of the DUP team at Westminster, Nigel Dodds, welcomed the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of the need to address the issue of the backstop, and that she will seek the ‘re-opening’ of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Amendments

In the subsequent amendments most were defeated, including Labour’s amendment for Parliament to vote on options which prevent the UK leaving the EU without a deal, including a permanent customs union and a referendum.

However Dame Caroline Spelman’s non-binding amendment to reject leaving the EU was passed. In a defeat for the Government, MPs voted to reject a no-deal Brexit in principle, by 318 votes to 310 – a majority of eight. The DUP voted against the proposal.

The only other amendment that passed was the Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady’s amendment calling for Parliament to require the backstop replaced with ‘alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border’ with Ireland.

The sign signalling Northern Ireland, indicating the border on the island (Pic: InsideIreland.ie)

‘Unacceptable’

Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Brexit Lisa Chambers said the decision by Theresa May to support the Brady amendment is ‘unacceptable’.

Deputy Chambers explained that the backstop was agreed by the EU and UK negotiation teams after 18 months of discussions and was supported by Theresa May. In fact, she said, ‘the UK had significant input into shaping the backstop and it was its preference for the whole of the UK to remain in the Customs Union rather than having a specific arrangement for Northern Ireland’.

“The UK Prime Minister is now trying to walk away from what she herself agreed and this is unacceptable. Furthermore, there is no clarity on what these ‘alternative arrangements’ to the backstop are supposed to be. Time and time again the EU has said that there can be no withdrawal agreement without the backstop and as we near the end game it is imperative that the EU remains steadfast in its commitment to Ireland and our specific concerns.

“It is essential that in the midst of all the noise on Brexit that the Irish Government keeps the public informed and up to date. We have had mixed messages from the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in recent days which has been unhelpful. They must be clear in their approach and in their messaging and ensure that our interests are not side-lined in days and weeks ahead”.

Inside Ireland

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